Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist - Stroke

Job overview

Two posts are available in the King's College Hospital band 6 speech and language therapy rotation, on a fixed term basis. The rotation covers stroke, health and ageing unit and critical care / surgery.

Both posts are 0.8 WTE (four working days) and successful applicants will be required to participate in weekend working.

The speech and language therapy team at King's Denmark Hill site is large and crosses multiple specialties. There are opportunities for participation in quality improvement and innovation and research projects in addition to expert supervision and in house training.

Main duties of the job

• Autonomously manage a caseload of patients with communication and / or swallowing impairments
• Provide specialist assessment and management of patients in the service caseload
• Contribute to staff training, quality improvement and innovation, audit and research projects undertaken within specialist team
• Maintain excellent professional communication with patients, colleagues and family members

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

1. To manage an autonomous caseload within allocated team on B6 rotation program, which will include assessment, contribution to differential diagnosis, and specialist SLT management for patients with acquired communication and swallowing disorders

2. To identify barriers to effective communication within the environment and suggest and implement solutions where feasible.

3. To introduce low and high tech communication aids as appropriate and train the patient, their family and friends and the staff on using alternative and augmentative communication aid systems or to refer on to the communication aid therapist at Bowley Close.

4. To maintain and develop the use of AAC techniques and equipment across the team.

5. To discuss, advise and plan appropriate patient goals with clients, carers and the multidisciplinary teams.

6. To act as a key worker where appropriate.

7. To provide complex and sensitive clinical information to patients and carers in clear, accessible and empathetic format, both in written and verbal form

8. To work as part of the multidisciplinary team negotiating appropriate therapy packages, length of stay and discharge arrangements

9. To attend ward rounds and MDT meetings as appropriate

10. To liaise on a regular basis with relevant hospital and community therapy teams.

11. To liaise with other agencies to ensure appropriate follow up and care arrangements for patients

12. To develop and deliver training regarding communication and swallowing to carers, relatives and staff.

Administrative Responsibilities

1. To maintain full, accurate and contemporaneous records within EPIC

2. To provide timely and accurate reports including transfer and discharge reports.

3. To prepare for and participate in an annual job appraisal which includes a 6 monthly review with the SLT acute clinical lead.

4. To attend Speech and Language Therapy team meetings.

5. To provide full, accurate and timely statistical data.

Leadership

1. To provide clinical support and advise to junior therapists within the team.

Education and Training

1. To participate in nurse dysphagia screen training programme run by the SLT department.

2. To take part in the clinical training for SLT students as agreed and appropriate including preparation for and participation in practical exams.

3. To participate in the SLT Department in service training programme.

4. To pursue an active programme of continuing professional development including feedback to the team on any courses or conferences attended.

Governance / Quality Control

1. To maintain and record an active programme of continuing professional development, including feeding back to colleagues on any courses or conferences attended.

2. To make recommendations on service development and governance.

3. To be an active member of relevant special interest groups.

4. To participate regularly in the evaluation of the effectiveness of intervention and models of service delivery, maintaining up to date knowledge of relevant clinical practice and research

5. To undertake specific departmental audit projects and contribute to departmental research where appropriate

Research and Service Development

1. To participate in relevant audit activity within King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

2. To participate in research initiatives in the relevant area

3. To publish and disseminate information which results from research and audit activity.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• BSc or recognised post graduate MSc or diploma in speech and language therapy
• Registration with the Health Professions Council
• Postgraduate training in dysphagia

Desirable criteria

• Member of RCSLT

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Established experience with adult acquired and neurological disorders in a rehabilitation setting including managing your own caseload and using a range of assessment and therapy techniques
• Up to date knowledge of the mental capacity act
• Experience of working successfully as part of a multidisciplinary team

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience of instrumental assessment (VF/FEES)

Skills and Competencies

Essential criteria

• Excellent written and spoken communication skills and ability to communicate sensitive and complex information
• Band 5 competency in relation to assessment, treatment & management of acquired communication and swallowing problems
• Good presentation and teaching skills and ability to devise appropriate training and information packages
• Demonstrate ability to manage and prioritise a caseload autonomously, and liaise across teams and services as required

Desirable criteria

• Good IT skills and experience of using computer based communication programmes

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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